Entourage Effect: Main Driver Of Cannabis Psychoactivity Beyond THC Potency, New Study Reveals

PAX, a prominent global cannabis brand, has partnered with innovative Canadian neurotechnology firm Zentrela to harness brainwave research for delivering data-driven insights into cannabis effects.

This collaboration aims to empower consumers to make more informed decisions regarding cannabis purchases and consumption.

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About The Study

The collaborative study, titled 'EEG-based analysis for quantifying the psychoactive effects, including onset time and maximum strength, of PAX’s Live Rosin with Natural Diamonds and High Purity THC Cannabis Products', unveiled significant findings regarding the cannabis experience.

One key revelation is that whole-plant, full-spectrum products can produce a statistically faster onset and more than double the psychoactive experience compared to distillate products with equivalent Delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC) potencies.

This phenomenon is attributed to the 'entourage effect', which involves the presence of additional whole plant compounds such as phytocannabinoids and terpenes.

• Furthermore, the study compared two distinct inhalable PAX cannabis products with similar THC potencies.
• It involved 28 participants who consumed cannabis vapor from a PAX Era Pro device while Zentrela's portable EEG device recorded data from eight brain regions.
• The study employed Cognalyzer, an AI-based EEG analysis, to convert EEG data into psychoactive effect levels (PEL) on a standardized scale.

Brian Witlin, VP of Product Development at PAX, emphasized the importance of moving beyond THC percentage when selecting cannabis products. He stated, "Consumers looking for psychoactive effects typically shop for cannabis products based on THC, which is a bit of a fallacy." Witlin added that understanding the impact of full-spectrum products with the complete range of terpenes and cannabinoids can help consumers make more accurate product choices.

Israel Gasperin, the CEO of Zentrela, expressed their commitment to enhancing consumer understanding of cannabis product experiences through advanced scientific research techniques. Gasperin highlighted the alignment between Zentrela and PAX in their dedication to innovation and scientific rigor.

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Image by El Planteo